Switch-signal apparatus.



Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEIZT 1. k

THE NORRIS PETERS CO4 PHOTO LlTHa. WASHING ION. 0y I H. M. POOR.

SWITCH SIGNAL APPARATUS APPLICATION FILED JAN.1'I. 1913. 1 ,1 1 9,871. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

2 SHEETS-BHBET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHDTO-LITNQ, WASHING ION. D- C STA HENRY M. POOR, OF AMELIA, OHIO.

SWITCH-SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914-.

Application filed January 17, 1913. Serial No. 742,678.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY M. Peon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amelia, in the county of Clermont, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SwitelrSignal Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Thisinvention has special reference to switch signals and more particularly to an improved safety signaling device adapted for use with an ordinary switch signal and operating device thereof whereby a plurality of signals corresponding to the switch sig nals may be exposed to view at any required distance between the switch and the usual signal thereof.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of a signaling apparatus in which safety signaling devices in the form of tin or rubber sections of desired color or brightness are connected between two operating wires whereby opposite shifting of the latter will cause such signal to be drawn taut when the switch is open and to hang in the form of a loop when the switch has not been opened after passing the usual. safety signal.

WVith the above objects in view, the invention consists of certain combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illus trated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a signaling mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention and operatingat one side of a switch. Fig. 2 is an elevational view thereof showing the parts in position for displaying the white or safety signal. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig.1 2 but showing the parts in position to display a red or danger signal. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the device as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus employed for operating the signals at opposite sides of the switch.

As illustrated in the drawings, the main track is indicated by the numeral 10 and the branch track by the numeral 11, while a switch 12 is positioned at the juncture of the said tracks for guiding the train on to the branch tracks or permitting the same to remain on the main track.

A switch signal 13 is included on' a stand l-il adjacent to the switch and embodies the usual signal cross having a red or danger signal 15 and a white or safety signal 16 operated by movenumt of the switch point in the usual manner. Disposed at any required distance along the track toward the approach direction. such as a half a mile or a mile, is a signal 17 which is also suitably elevated and connected to the switch signal by operating wires or cables 18 and ll) so that the corresponding signals will be simultaneously ex msed to view.

The signal 1? is provided with a platform 20 adapted to guide and support the operating wires 18 and 19, which may be operated above the ground as indicated in Fig. 1 or beneath the ground in the manner shown in Fig. 3, as will be hereinafter more fully described. The platform is arranged to support the wires about seven feet above the ground or other distance as desired and said wires are connected at suitably spaced points by supplementary signaling devices 21 in the form of strips of flexible material, such as a bright colored tin or rubber or the like, it being important that the said material be capable of being drawn taut or falling by its weight or gravity for exposing to View the desired signal.

When the switch above referred to has not been opened after the train passes the safety signal and the operating wires are in position to expose the white or clear signals, the extremities of the signal strips 21 connecting the wires will be disposed opposite each other with the strips at right angles to the wires so that a clear signal will be exposed to View to the engineer, informing him of the condition of the switch. Owing to the prominence and peculiarity of the signals, and the provision of a plurality thereof between the safety signal and the switch, the liability of the engineer to overlook the same will be greatly diminished. Should the switch be opened after the train has passed the safety signal, the wires will be shifted in a diagonal direction, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 1n eontradistlnction to the position of the parts in solid lines shown in Fig. 1 and the position of the supplementary signal strips will afford danger signals to warn the engineer of the condition of the switch and thereby permit him to bring the train to a stop without causing injury. It is also understood that the number of supplementary signals may be varied according to the distance between the switch and signal thereof and the safety signal.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, the device is illustrated as showing the use of safety signals and supplementary signals in both di rections instead of in one direction as above described, the parts being similarly lettered with the exception of the opposite safety signal which is indicated by the numeral 22 and similarly supported upon a platform or standard 23 and oppositely connected to expose corresponding signals to View through the medium of the operating wires or cables 2% and 25.

In the event of one of the operating wires becoming broken, the signals are operated by means of a weight 26 so as to automatically return the signals to a prescribed position. The signals may, if desired, be operated by a lever 27.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings, the utility and continued operation of the signaling device will be readily apparent and it will be obvious that the device will always be in position for operation and insure thorough safety for the railroad and trains operating thereon without depending upon a switch-man or Signalman.

' I claim 1. The combination with spaced horizontally disposed operating wires having relative longitudinal movement, of flexible signal members extending transversely of and having their ends connected to the wires and of greater length than thedistance between the wires, whereby said members will be relative longitudinal movement for siniultaneously exposing corresponding signals, and supplementary signal strips of flexible material of greater length than thedi stance between the cables and having their ends connected to the cables whereby said strips may be drawn taut when the cables are in one position and hang beneath the cables in the form of a loop in a second position.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

' HENRY M. POOR. Witnesses:

WVILL A. WILLIAMs, P. MATINGLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 10. G. 

